Vending machine

ABSTRACT

A vending machine for vending packaged products having a product compartment, a plurality of delivery arms located in the product compartment, each including a movable endless chain having a plurality of pairs of package retention elements, the elements of each pair coacting to releasably retain an individual package to be vended.

United States Patent [1 1 Callahan et al.

[ 1 VENDING MACHINE [75] Inventors: William H. Callahan; Stephen 1.

Horvath, both of Aurora, 111.

[73] Assignee: Lektro-Vend Corp., Aurora, 111.

[22] Filed: Aug. 4, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 168,843

[52] US. Cl. 221/85, 221/218 [51] Int. Cl. G071 11/00 [58] Field ofSearch 198/180, 179; 221/76-86, 218, 219,129

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 807,541 12/1905 Cunninghamet a1 198/179 958,252 5/1910 Jenkins 198/179 1,139,292 5/1915 .Iirotka198/179 2,101,685 12/1937 Nisbet 198/177 2,953,240 9/1960 Nigrelli eta1. 198/179 3,720,350 3/1973 Patrick 221/85 X 883,563 3/1908 Parrish221/218 1 Dec. 25, 1973 Primary Examiner-Samuel F. ColemanAttorney-Robert V. .lambor et al.

57 ABSTRACT A vending machine for vending packaged products having aproduct compartment, a plurality of delivery arms located in the productcompartment, each including a movable endless chain having a pluralityof pairs of package retention elements, the elements of each paircoacting to releasably retain an individual package to be vended.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEU DEC 25 I973 sum 2m 2 INVENTOQS W/ZLAM H CAZZA/QAA' STEPHEN Ham A 7 H BY VJW ATTORNEY VENDING MACHINE.:BACKGROUND OF THEJINVENTION This invention relates to coin operatedvending machines for vending of packaged products. More particularly, itrelates to a vending machine for packaged 7 products having productcompartments in which the products are releasablymetained upon aplurality of delivery arms.

One important factor in successful vending of products through coinoperated machines is that of attraction of prospective purchasers totheproduct. This is especiallytrue in the case of snack products, suchas potato chips, nuts, pretzels, candy or the like, which are usuallypurchased onimpulse or to compliment the purchase of a beverage. It is,therefore, important to make the customer aware of the availability ofthe product. If successful, sales of such products can be significantlyincreased.

Initially, snack products were vended through pastry -or candy barvending machines. However, these methods'failed to adequately inform thepurchaser of the availability of the product and sales volumes weredisappointing. v

More recently, attempts have been made to provide vending machines whichtake advantage of sales appeal of visual display of the-products. It iswell recognized that an effective machine of this type would not onlysolve the problem of vending snack foods, but would find wideapplication in the vending of pre-packaged consumable articles notnormally sold through this media. .For example, hardware items such asnuts, bolts,

screws, nails andthe like, could readily be vended in this'manner.Similarly, toilet articles such as combs, razors, toothbrushes and thelike, could also be effectively distributed.

design disadvantages which rendered it unsatisfactory as the ultimatesolutionto the problem.

Oneof the earliest developments in this field was a machine whichutilizedv delivery arms in the form of horizontally disposed rotatablespiral shafts. The packaged products were suspended upon each shaft inspaced relation along the spiral. Energization of the machine by depositof proper coinage caused one shaft to rotate for a predetermined period.This advanced the packaged product toward the open delivery end. Duringeach cycle the package nearest the open delivery end of the shaftrotated, would drop off, and fall to a vending area accessible to thepurchaser.

Utilization of this form of machine was possible only if the packagesvendedwere previously provided with an aperture to receive the spiralshaft. The procedures necessary to provide such an aperture were bothtimeconsuming and cumbersome.- Further, if the packages were not .ofsufficient strength, they could be easily dislodged from the'spirialshaft resulting in loss of'thearticle without revenue.

In addition, the package loading arrangement was not inherently a firstin, first out, system. Articles first placed in the machine were notnecessarilythose first delivered to the consumer. It was necessary toremove the packages remaining in the machine when loading and to thenplace them nearest the open delivery ends of the spiral shafts. Firstin, first out loading therefore depended upon the conscious effort ofthe individual loading the machine. Thus, a strong possiblity existedfor the later vending of stale goods, an undesirable sales factor.

-Other attempts to develop a satisfactory machine that optimizedpackaged product vending have included delivery arms having endlesschains supported upon a pair of sprockets and provided with a pluralityof retention hooks. Activation of the machine would cause the chain ofone delivery arm to move, advancing the hooks toward the delivery end ofthe arm. The hook nearest the end would travel about the sprocket andmove from a generally vertical retention position to a generallyhorizontal delivery position, allowing the package to fall from thehook.

This system also required pre-operation to be performed upon the bags orpackages vended. Also, this arrangement was particularly susceptible tovandalism. Vigorous shaking of the machine would result in dislodgementof the packages from the hooks and would cause them to fall to thevending area accessible from the exterior of the machine. Attempts atrectifying this particular failing have proven to be cumbersome, andhave detracted significantly from the efficient operation of the hookarrangement.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention toprovide an improved form of vending machine for packaged products whichoptimizes the visual appeal of the product to be vended. It is a furtherobject to provide such a machine which inherently provides for a firstin, first out, distribution of the packaged product, and which iscapable of vending packages which do not require special pre-loadingpreparation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Very generally, the present invention isdirected to a vending machine for packaged products having a productcompartment, and a plurality of product delivery arms disposed in thecompartment. Each arm includes a movable endless chain having aplurality of pairs of package retention elements which coact toreleasably retain an individual package to be vended. Movement of achain upon activation of themachine causes one pair of the packageretention elements to advance and release the retained package fordelivery to the consumer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vendingmachine embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the vendingmachine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on a slightly enlarged scale of adelivery arm of the vending machine of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the delivery arm of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, of the delivery armof FIG. 2, showing the apparatus in a slightly different position ofoperation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrateda vending machine generally designated 10, which is illustrative of theprinciples of the present invention.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vending machine includes a housing 12defining a large product compartment 14 in which packaged products 16are retained for delivery to purchasers. The housing further includes avending compartment 18 disposed immediately below the productcompartment and accessible from the exterior of the machine. I

The machine 10 is electrically operated and includes a coin receivingmechanism 22 and a selector switch arrangement 24. Deposit of propercoinage and activation of the selector switch operates through wellknown electrical circuitry to effect delivery of a packaged product tothe purchaser.

The vending compartment 18 is in communication with the productcompartment 14 through an opening 20. Vended packages drop through thisopening into the vending compartment.

The vending compartment 18 is also open to the exterior of the machinethrough an opening 26. An access door 28 pivotally supported uponhousing 12 normally closes the opening 26.

A vended product delivered to the compartment 18 is retrieved by thepurchaser by opening the door 28 and reaching into the vendingcompartment. The door 28 includes a closure plate 30 which moves withthe door 28. Opening of the door causes closure of opening whichnormally communicates with the product compartment 14. In this manner,pilferage of the product compartment by access through the vendingcompartment is prevented.

The machine 10 is provided with a hinged access door 32 which isnormally locked and which defines the front panel of the machine. Thisdoor provides access to the product compartment for loading of thepackaged articles and other maintenance needs.

The door 34 includes a transparent panel 36 formed of glass or othersuitable material. This panel provides full view of the productcompartment 14 from the exterior of the machine. In this manner, theproducts 16 to be vended are displayed to the purchaser to take fulladvantage of visual appeal.-

The products 16 are retained within the product compartment 14 upon aplurality of generally parallel, horizontally disposed delivery arms 38which extend toward the clear panel 36. The packages to be vended hangdownwardly from the arms generally traversely of the arms and arepresented for full view through the clear panel.

The arms 38 include flanges 40 which are secured to the portion of thehousing 12 defining a rear wall 41 of the product compartment 14. Theflanges 40 may be provided with slotted mounting holes to allow verticaladjustment of the spacing between arms to accommodate differences insizes of the packaged products.

Each of the arms 38 includes a rigid channel 42 which forms the mainstructural element of the arm. The channel 42 extends from the flanges40 toward the panel 36 terminating in an open delivery end 44. Itdefines a pair of generally horizontal stripping surfaces 46 adjacentthe end 44. The interior of each channel includes a pair of spaced apartfacing guide tracks 48 best seen in FIG. 4, extending longitudinally ofthe channel along its lowermost edge.

In accordance with the present invention, each of the delivery arms 38includes a package retention and delivery mechanism generally designated50. The mechanisms 50 are effective to releasably retain the packagedproducts 16 on display to prospective customers, and are operable tovend a given article upon operation of the machine.

The mechanism 50 of each delivery arm 38 includes a drive sprocket 52, aguide sprocket 54, and an endless drive chain 56 extending about thesprockets. The drive sprockets 52 are rotatably supported by thechannels 42 adjacent the flange 40, and the guide sprockets 54 arerotatably supported by the channels 42 adjacent the open delivery ends44. The chain 56 of each package retention and delivery mechanism 50thus defines two horizontally disposed lengths which extend between thesprockets 52 and 54. The lowermost length of each chain is disposedwithin the guide track 48 of the associated delivery arm 38.

An electric drive motor 58 is operatively associated with each deliveryarm 38. The motors 58 are each secured to a channel 42 adjacent theflange 40, and are connected in driving association with the associateddrive sprocket 52.

The electrical circuitry of the machine is adapted for energization ofany one of the motors upon insertion of proper coinage into themechanism 22. The particular motor energized is determined by selectionof one of the selector switches of the selector switch arrangement 24.Energization of one of the motors is effective to rotate the associateddrive sprocket 52 for a predetermined period or cycle. The sprocket isrotated in a direction to cause the longitudinally extending portion ofthe chain 56 disposed in the guide track 48 to advance a predetermineddistance toward the open delivery end 44 of the delivery arm 38 asindicated by the arrow in FIG. 3. This causes the chain to travel aboutthe guide sprocket 54. i

As best seen in FIG. 3, the chain of each retention and deliverymechanism 50 includes a plurality of rigid links connected by pins 59 todefine pluralities of pairs of retention elements 60. The elements ofeach pair of 'retention elements 60 are formed by adjacent links of thechain 56. Each pair includes an anvil member 62 and a wedge member 64.

When the links of the chain 56 are disposed within the guide tracks 48,the associated pairs of retention elements underlying the guide trackare in the retention position. In this position, the elements of eachpair coact, as shown in FIG. 3, to releasably retain a package to bevended. Advancement of the links about the guide sprocket 54 uponenergization of the drive motor 58 is effective to terminate thecoaction as shown in FIG. 5, and the package is delivered to the vendingcompartment 18.

Anvil member 62 defines a clamping or retention surface 66 extendingtransversely of the longitudinal axis of the delivery arm. The wedgemember 64 of each pair of elements 60 defines a clamping or lockingsurface 68 disposed in opposing facing relation to the clamping orretention surface 66 of the associated element 62:

These clamping surfaces are positionable in closely spaced facingrelation to releasably wedge or clamp the package to be vended. Thisoccurs when the pairs of elements 60 are in the retention positionunderlying guide tracks 48.

Advancement of the chain 56 in a direction toward the open delivery end44 of the delivery arm causes the wedge member 64 to pivot the lockingsurface 68 away from the clamping surface 66 to release the clampingaction of the pair 60 and vend the packaged article.

It should be noted that the clamping action provided by the retentionpairs 60 to releasably retain the article to be vended is effective tograsp or clamp packaged material without requiring pre-operations to beperformed upon the package. The expense of pro-loading operations iseliminated and loading of the packaged product is simplified.

In the illustrated embodiment, the locking surface 68 of each pair ofelements 60 is defined by pivotally supported member 70 urged in adirection toward the surface 66 of the associated anvil member 62 by aspring 71. in the retention position, that is when the links of thechain 56 forming the pairs of elements 60 are slidably supported withinthe guide track 48, the pivotally supported member 70 is biased againstthe clamping surface 66 of the associated anvil member 62. The member 70is pivoted in a manner such that when the pairs of elements 60 are inthe retention position, the member 70 is urged toward clamping surface64 by gravity. The spring member 71 compliments this action to increasethe clamping effectiveness.

To increase the locking capabilities of the pairs of elements, eachpivotally supported member 70 is formed to define a plurality of prongs72, shown in FIG. 4, and the anvil members 62 are formed to define astep 74 and a plurality of notches 76, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,

aligned with the prongs 72. The prongs 72 engage the packages 16 andurge .the packages against the steps 74 and into the notches 76. Theprongs may actually pierce the package to provide positive retention.This arrangement renders the retention members effective to retain theproduct packages upon the arm even without the assistance provided byspring 70. Also pilferage is prevented since the packages cannot bedislodged by shaking the machine.

ltis contemplated that a variety of forms of pairs of retention elements60 may be provided which would adequately effect clamping or wedgingengagement of packages to be vended. For example, the surfaces 66 and 68could be formed such that they are extremely closely spaced when thepairs of elements 60 are in the retention position underlying the guidetracks 48. The mere compression of the package material between thesurfaces would then provide the retention force. Additionally, toimprove the effectiveness of closely spaced surfaces 66 and 68, thesurfaces could be knurled, tooth-shaped or serpentine. Each arrangementwould provide the necessary coaction between the elements 62 and 64 ofeach pair of elements releasably retaining the packaged product inposition upon the delivery arms 38.

As previously pointed out, the pairs of retention elements 60 formingthe links of the chain 56 which are disposed within the guide tracks 48are positioned for coaction and consequent retention of the packages 16.In the illustrated embodiment, the pivotally supported members 70provide an additional advantage in allowing simple loading of each pairof elements operable even when the pairs of elements are in thisretention position. The packages to be retained are simply urgedupwardly between the anvil member 62 andthe pivotally supported memberdefining the locking surface 68. The spring 71 is displaced sufficientlyto accommodate entry of the package between the retention surface 66 andthe locking surface 68. The spring'7l then urges the pivotally supportedmember toward clamping surface 66 of anvil member 62. The clampingaction provided by coaction of the retention surface 66 and the lockingsurface 68 retains the package 16. The coaction between the prongs 72formed upon pivotally supported member 70 and the step 74 and notches 76formed upon anvil member 62 firmly lock the'packages' in place until thepairs of elements 60 are advanced to the delivery end of the arm 38.

Selective energization of one of the delivery mechanisms 50 associatedwith one of the delivery arms 38 is effective to cause advancement ofthe chain 56 a predetermined distance. This causes the pair of retentionmembers 60 nearest the open delivery end 44 of the delivery arm totravel about the guide sprocket 54. This movement, as best seen in FIG.5, results in separation of the retention surface 66 and locking surface68. allowing the package 16 to fall to the vending compartment 14.

In some cases, the packages 16 may adhere to prongs 72 and fail to fallto the delivery compartment 18 upon separation of the elements 60.Continued rotation of the elements 60 about the sprocket 54 causes thepackage to contact stripping surfaces 46 formed upon the delivery arms38. This provides for positive separation of the package from theretention elements 60.

It should be noted that energization of a retention and deliverymechanism 50 causes advancement of all of the links disposed within theguide tracks 48 toward the open delivery end 44 of the delivery arms 38.Simultaneously, emptied retention element pairs return to the guidetracks 48 adjacent the flange 40. Thus, products placed into the machinecontinually advance toward the delivery ends 44 of the delivery arms 38,and a first-in, first-out vending is inherently provided.

As can be seen, an improved form of packaged product vending machine hasbeen provided which optimizes visual display of the products to bevended, inherently provides a first-in, first-out system of vending, andrequires no pre-loading operations to be performed upon the packages tobe vended.

Various features of the invention have been particularly shown anddescribed. It must be understood, however, that various modificationsmay be made without departing from the scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a vending machine for vending packaged products having at leastone delivery arm for retaining and dispensing packages, said deliveryarm comprising:

a. an elongated member carried by said vending machine and having atleast two laterally spaced rollers mounted thereon;

b. an endless chain mounted on said rollers and adapted to be rotatedfor vending packaged products;

c. said chain defining a plurality of pairs of retention elements, eachhaving adjacent clamping surfaces for releasably retaining a package tobe vended and being operable to release said package upon rotation ofthe chain about one of said rollers; and

d. one of said elements of each pair of retention elements including apivotally supported member defining said clamping surface and biasingmeans urging said member in a direction toward the adjacent clampingsurface of the other element.

' 2. An apparatus therefore as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elongatedmembers therefore includes an elongated channel defining a drive end anda delivery end, said endless chain is rotatably supported by saidchannel intermediate said ends 'with a portion of said pairs ofretention elements underlying said channel, each of said pairs ofelements underlying said channels are disposed to coact to releasablyretain a package to be vended, and wherein said mechanism is operable toadvance said portion of said chain including said pairs of elementsunderlying said channel toward said deliv ery end to terminate saidcoaction.

3. An apparatus therefor as claimed in claim 2 wherein said channelfurther defines a pair of opposed facing guide tracks extendinglongitudinally thereof and wherein said portion of said chain includingsaid pairs of retention elements underlying said channel are slidablysupported within said guide tracks.

4. An apparatus therefor as claimed in claim 2 wherein said channeldefines at least one stripping surtoward said delivery end.

5. An apparatus therefor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elements ofeach said pairs of elements are formed upon adjacent links of saidchain.

6. In a vending machine for vending packaged products, an improveddispensing unit comprising:

a. an elongated member rotatably mounting an endless chain;

b. said endless chain having means for defining opposing pairs ofretention elements with coacting surfaces for releasably retaining apackaged product and adapted to terminate said coaction to effectdispensing of said packaged product;

0. one of said surfaces being formed by a resiliently biased membercarried by an associated retention element and urged against thecoacting surface of the other element; and

(1. said surface formed by said biased member forming an outwardlyopening angle with the other surface for guiding said packages into saidretention elements and for facilitating the reloading of the dispensingunits with packages to be dispensed.

1. In a vending machine for vending packaged products having at leastone delivery arm for retaining and dispensing packages, said deliveryarm comprising: a. an elongated member carried by said vending machineand having at least two laterally spaced rollers mounted thereon; b. anendless chain mounted on said rollers and adapted to be rotated forvending packaged products; c. said chain defining a plurality of pairsof retention elements, each having adjacent clamping surfaces forreleasably retaining a package to be vended and being operable torelease said package upon rotation of the chain about one of saidrollers; and d. one of said elements of each pair of retention elementsincluding a pivotally supported member defining said clamping surfaceand biasing means urging said member in a direction toward the adjacentclamping surface of the other element.
 2. An apparatus therefore asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said elongated members therefore includes anelongated channel defining a drive end and a delivery end, said endlesschain is rotatably supported by said channel intermediate said ends witha portion of said pairs of retention elements underlying said channel,each of said pairs of elements underlying said channels are disposed tocoact to releasably retain a package to be vended, and wherein saidmechanism is operable to advance said portion of said chain includingsaid pairs of elements underlying said channel toward said delivery endto terminate said coaction.
 3. An apparatus therefor as claimed in claim2 wherein said channel further defines a pair of opposed facing guidetracks extending longitudinally thereof and wherein said portion of saidchain including said pairs of retention elements underlying said channelare slidably supported within said guide tracks.
 4. An apparatustherefor as claimed in claim 2 wherein said channel defines at least onestripping surface adjacent said delivery end engageable with saidpackage to be vended upon advancement of said chain toward said deliveryend.
 5. An apparatus therefor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elementsof each said pairs of elements are formed upon adjacent links of saidchain.
 6. In a vending machine for vending packaged products, animproved dispensing unit comprising: a. an elongated member rotatablymounting an endless chain; b. said endless chain having means fordefining opposing pairs of retention elements with coacting surfaces forreleasably retaining a packaged product and adapted to terminate saidcoaction to effect dispensing of said packaged product; c. one of saidsurfaces being formed by a resiliently biased member carried by anassociated retention element and urged against the coacting surface ofthe other element; and d. said surface formed by said biased memberforming an outwardly opening angle with the other surface for guidingsaid packages into said retention elements and for facilitating thereloading of the dispensing units with packages to be dispensed.